Coupling and locking means for fastening devices



D. MARINSKY July 10, 1934.

-COUPLING AND LOCKING MEANS FOR FASTENING DEVICES Origifial Filed Sept.22

Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES conrztmc AND- Loc iNo mans FOB,FASTENING DEVICES Davis Marinsky, New York, N. SI. Original applicationSeptember 22, 1926, Serial No.

1136,9195. Divided and this application September 22, 1926, Serial No.136,904

19 Claims.

This invention relates to fastening devices employing flexible stringersadapted to be coupled and uncoupled, and particularlyto a slide mem=ber'engagingsaid devices for coupling and uncoupling the same and stillfurther to a lock device for retaining the slide member in differentpositions of adjustment, and the object of the invention is to provide aslide member of the class specified with an operating finger-piece mmovable relatively to the slide member and by means of which said membermay be moved into its several positions; a further object being toprovide means on said finger-piece adapted to be automatically moved, bygravity, into posi- 35 tion to engage the coupled links or otherelements of the stringers of the fastening device and to be positionedadjacent one end of the slide member, whereby lateral pull or stress onthe separate stringers or garments parts to which 24 they are attachedwill operate to automatically move the slide member into position toengage said means to fixedly secure and lock the slider against furthermovement; a further object of the invention being. to provide means onthe slide member, engaging said finger-piece in the locking movementabove referred to, for retaining said finger-piece and the means thereonin locked position and to prevent accidental displacement of saidfinger-piece; and with these and other g objects in View the inventionconsists of a device of the class and for the purpose specified which issimple in construction and operation, efidcient in use, and which sconstructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate partsof my improvement are designated by suitable reierence characters ineach of the views, g and in whicht-- v Fig. l is a plan view of severalparts of my device mounted upon a portion or" a fastening device;

Fig. 2 is a side and sectional view of the de- 5 vice as seen in Fig. i;

.Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in a differentposition;

- 4 is a sectional view through a fingerpiece and lock device which iemploy, the secgo tion being on the line l of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device as seen in Fig. 4; and,

6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 with the slide member detached.

in Fig. 1 or the drawing, 1' have illustrated separate portions 10 andll of a garment or two independent garment parts, to each of which aresecured stringers 10a11a having interlocking links or other element10b11b, such for example as the stringers and links of the fastening todevice disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,557,304, dated Oct. 13, 1925,and at 12, I have shown a coupling or slide member mounted upon andmovable longitudinally of the stringers 10a-11a, and by means of whichthe links 101) and 11b of on said stringers are adapted to be coupledand 1121 coupled. I

The slide member 12, in the construction shown, comprises a die-castbody of unitary construction having diverging channels 12d12b intertosecting at the contracted end of said body and separated at the enlargedend thereof by a partion wall 120 which tapers toward the contracted endof the body and terminates in ribs 12d in the upper and lower faces ofsaid body, said it ribs extending to the contracted end of said body andadapted to enter the recesses between the links 10b11b, when coupledtogether and to facilitate the coupling and uncoupling of said links inthe operation of the slide member.

The enlarged end of the member 12 is provided with laterally extendingwings 13 which extend well upon the attached portions oi the stringersand prevents any possible displacement of the fastening device from theseparate stringers in as the operation thereof, and especially when thestringers assume angular positions with reference to the longitudinalplane of the slide member, the inner adjacent facesof the wings 13 arefiattened as seen at 130; to insure this operation. Oh so one face ofthe slidemember 12 is a projecting rib 1d, T-shaped in form in crosssection, to pro? vide grooves 15 at the opposite sides of said rib, toreceive inwardly projecting fingers 16 at one end or" a finger-piece 17employed for operating as the slide member 12. The rib 14 extends aroundthe enlarged end of the slide member 12 to the opposite face of saidslide member as seen at 18,

and the grooves 15 at'this end of the slide member are opened in theinitial manufacture of the deme vice, to permit of the attachment of thefingerpiece 17 and then closed by forcing the top wall of the rib 14inwardly as seen at 19.

In the construction shown, the closed end of the channeled or groovedrib 14 projects slightly beyond the contracted or lower end of the slidemember 22 to-iorm a cam face 20 spaced slightly from the links 10b, 11bwhen the device is in use as seen in Fig. 2 of the drawing, and said endof the rib is also provided with a projecting lock bar or finger 21. Thefinger piece 17 has an enlarged apertured end portion 22 which may becurved slightly as seen in Fig. 4 of the drawing, and this end portionis adapted to be grasped by two of the fingers of the hand in themanipulation of the slide member. The contracted end of the finger-pieceprovided with the inwardly directed fingers or lugs 16 is apertured asseen at 23, the aperture being formed by stamping an L-shaped lock, pawlor member 24 from the material of the finger-piece 17, so that one legof the L-shaped lock or pawl 24 is in spaced and parallel relation tothe finger piece, and the end of said lock member 24 is pointed andcurved outwardly, as seen at 25, to form a prong adapted to engage andpass between adjacent links 10b11b of the stringers when coupledtogether, and the rounded outer face 26 of the lock member 24 is adaptedto engage the rounded cam face 20 on the slide member 12 to firmly forcethe prong end 25 of the member 24 into engagement with the links, andalso to function as a wedge disposed between the coupled stringers andthe slide member 12 to lock said member against displacement, andparticularly downward movement or the separation of the stringers.

It will also be noted that in the above described operation, the lockbar 21 on the rib 14, which is positioned within the aperture 23,engages the rounded edge 2'7 of the member 24 where it joins thefinger-piece 1'7 and passes into the fiat surface of the finger-piece,as seen at 28 in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and operates to retain thefingerpiece and the lock member 24 in the position seen in Fig. 3against accidental displacement. and it will also be apparent that thisstructure will retain the finger-piece against flapping or.clatteringmovement common in other devices of this class, especially when used ongaloshes and like apparel.

The above described operation will be more clearly understood from thefollowing description. When the slide member 12 has been moved into apredetermined position to couple the slide members together, entirelyand partially, and said finger-piece is released the same, due to itsmounting and suspension, drops by gravity into the position shown inFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, in which position the lock member 24 islocked beneath and in slightly spaced relation with reference to the camface 20, and the lock bar 21 is within the aperture 23 of thefingerpiece 17, and with the parts in this position, if lateral stressor strain is applied to the parts 10 and 11 or the stringers 10a-1 lathereof, a slight downward movement will be imparted to the slide member12, and in this operation the cam face 20 will ride upon the roundedface 26 of the lock member 24 to firmly wedge and secure the lock memberin position within and between the slide member and the stringers andalso definitely stop further downward movement of the slide member 12.In thisjoperation the lock bar or finger 21 slides over the surface 27and onto the fiat face of the finger-piece 17 and operates to retainsaid finger-piece and lock member 24 against displacement. Of course, itwill be understood that a downward pull on the finger-piece 1'! alonewill disengage the parts to This application constitutes divisionalsubject matter of an applicationSerial Number 136,905. which wascopending with this application and has issued in Patent Number1,702,640, dated February 19, 1929.

It will be understood that my improved locking means by virtue of itsautomatic operation rendersthe device fool-proof and positive infunction, and while I have illustrated one method of carrying myinvention into effect and have illustrated its use on a fastening deviceemploying interlocking links of specific construction, my invention isnot limited in this respect, and various other changes in andmodifications of the construction herein shown and described may be madewithin the scope of the appended claims, without depar ing from thespirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a slide member of the class described, of afinger piece slidably disposed on said member and by means of which thesame is operated, a pawl on said finger piece adapted to be moved intoposition between said member and the body upon which it is slidablymounted to retain said member against movement in one direction, saidmember having a cam face engaging said pawl to move the same intooperative position, and a lock bar on said member engaging said fingerpiece to retain it and said pawl against accidental displacement.

2. A fastening device employing stringers adapted to be coupled anduncoupled, a slide member for coupling and uncoupling said stringers, afinger piece supported in connection with said slide member and capableof movement longitudinally thereof and including a pawl adapted in theuse of the device to be positioned between an inner surface of saidslide member and stringers, means whereby the attempt to separate thestringers under pressure will cause said pawl to slide longitudinally ofsaid member into position to retain the slide member in fixed posi-'tion preventing the separation of said stringers and said finger piecefacilitating the operation of said slide member and the movement of thepawl into inoperative position, and said slide member having aprojecting part adapted to engage the finger piece to retain the sameand said pawl in locked position.

3. A slider having overlying wings adapted to move along the stringersof a separable interlocking fastener to engage and disengage theinterlocking members, a pull attached to move longitudinally of one ofsaid wings, and a projecting finger on said pull adjacent the attachedend to act as a wedge interposed between one of the wings and saidinterlocking members to lock the slider against opening stress.

4. The combination with a slide member for fiexible stringers of theclass described, of a lock member which when in predetermined positionwill be automatically moved by gravity into position to engage saidstringers intermediate the ends thereof to retain the slide memberagainst movement in one direction on said stringers, said lock memberhaving a finger piece portion and being keyed to and movablelongitudinally of the slide member and by means of which said slidemember is operated.

5. The combination with a slide member for flexible stringers, saidmember having a contracted end portion and being movable along thestringers to couple and uncouple the same, of a lock member movablelongitudinally of said slide member and by means of which said slidemember is operated, said lock member when moved in the direction of thecontracted end of said slide member being adapted to engagesaid-stringers to automatically retain said slide member againstmovement in one direction on said stringers.

6. A slider having overlapping wings adapted to move along the stringersof a separable interlocking fastener to engage and disengage theinterlocking members, one of said wings including an outwardlyprojecting portion arranged longitudinally of the slider and including alongitudinal recess, a pull having means received in the recess in saidprojecting portion to permit longitudinal movement of the pull on saidwing, and a projecting finger on said pull adjacent the attached end toact as a wedge interposed between one of the wings and said interlockingmembers to lock the slider against opening stress.

7. The combination with a slide member for flexible stringers of theclass described, of a lock member which when in predetermined positionwill be automatically moved by gravity into position to engage saidstringers intermediate the ends thereof, to retain the slide memberagainst movement in one direction on said stringers, said slide memberhaving an outwardly projecting part arranged longitudinally thereof andincluding a longitudinal recess, and said locking member having a fingerpiece portion and being keyed to said recessed part and movablelongitudinally there- -of in the locking engagement of the slide memherwith the stringers.

8. The combination with a slide member for flexible stringers, saidmember having a contractedend portion and arecessed part arrangedlongitudinally and projecting from one side thereor", said member beingmovable along the stringers to couple and uncouple the same, or" a lockmember coupled with and movable longitudinally of said recessed part andby means of which said slide member is operated, said lock member whenmoved on said part in the direction of the contracted end or" said slidemember being adapted to engage said stringers to automatically retainsaid slide member against movement in one direction on said stringers.

9. In a fastening device employing stringers adapted to be coupled anduncoupled, a slide member for coupling and uncoupling said stringers andhaving contracted and flared end portions, means movably supported inconnection with said slide member and adapted tomove automatically intooperative position when the stringers are separated under pressure forretaining the slide member in fixed position, said means comprising apawl-like member adapted to be positioned between the contracted endportion of the slide member and said stringers, and a finger pieceintegral with said pawl member and by means of which the slide member isoperated, said finger piece being keyed to and movable longitudinally ofthe slide member.

10. The combination with a slide member for flexible stringers of theclass described, of a lock member automatically moved by gravity intoposition to retain the slide member against movement in one direction onsaid stringers, said lock member having a finger piece portion and beingkeyed to and movable longitudinally of the slide 7 member and by meansof which said slide memher is operated, and means on the slide membermember and by means of which said slide member is operated, means on theslide member adapted to engage said lock member to retain the sameagainst accidental displacement when in operative position, and saidslide member being provided at the enlarged end thereof with laterallydirected wings extending well upon the bodies in connection with whichthe stringers are mounted to prevent displacement of said slide memberfrom said stringers.

12. The combination with a slide member of. the class described, of afinger piece slidably disposed on'said member and by means of which thesame is operated, and a pawl on said finger piece adapted to be movedinto position between said member and the body upon which it is slidablymounted to retain said member against movement in one direction, saidmember having a cam face engaging said pawlto move the same intooperative position.

13. A fastening device employing stringers adapted to be coupled anduncoupled, a slide member for coupling and uncoupling said stringers, afinger piece supported in connection with said slide member and capableof movement longitudinally thereof and including a pawl adapted in theuse of the device to be positioned between an inner surface of saidslide member and stringers, means whereby the attempt to separate thestringers under pressure will cause said pawl to slide longitudinally ofsaid member into position to retain the slide member in fixed positionpre--' venting the separation of said stringers, and said finger piecefacilitating the operation of said slide member and the movement of thepawl into inoperative position.

14. A slider for the stringers of a separable fastener adapted to movealong said stringers, said slider having contracted and flared endportions and a channel extending therethrough, a pull attached at oneend to move relatively to said slider and a locking finger on the pulladjacent the attached end thereof adapted in one position of said pullto enter said channel at the contracted end portion-of the slider tolock said slideragainst movement, said locking finger movinglongitudinally of the slider in the locking engagement.

15. A slide member for coupling and uncoupling the stringers of anattaching device of the class described, comprising a die cast bodysubstantially V-shaped in form, said body having diverging channelsintersecting at the contracted end of said body and opening outwardlythrough the opposite sides of the body and the enlarged end thereof, apartition wall subdividing the channels at the enlarged end of saidbody, the enlarged end of said body having laterally extending wingsadapted to extend onto that part of the stringers attached topredetermined supports, a rib integral with said body and extendinglongitudinally of one side face and around the enlarged end of saidbody, said rib having channels at the opposite side faces thereof, andsaid rib projecting beyond the contracted end of said body to form a cammember between which and the coupling stringers a wedge member isadapted to be placed to secure the slider against movement on saidstringers, a finger piece carrying said wedge member and slidablyengaging said rib, and a lock bar on said rib and projecting beyond saidcam member for engaging said finger piece in one position thereof toretain the same against displacement.

16. A slide member for coupling and uncoupling the stringers of anattaching device of the class described, comprising a die cast bodysubstantially V-shaped in form, said body having diverging channelsintersecting at the contracted end of said body and opening outwardlythrough the opposite sides of the body and the enlarged end thereof, apartition wall subdividing the channels at the enlarged end of saidbody, the enlarged end of said body having laterally extending wingsadapted to extend onto that part of the stringers attached topredetermined supports, a rib integral with said body and extendinglongitudinally of one side face and around the enlarged end of saidbody, said rib having channels at the opposite side faces thereof, andsaid rib projecting beyond the contracted end of said 'body to form acam member between which and the coupled stringers a wedge member isadapted to be placed to secure the slider against movement on saidstringers, a finger piece carrying said wedge member and slidably engagisaid rib, and a lock bar on said rib and projecting beyond said cammember for engaging said finger piece in one position thereof to retainthe same against displacement, the channels of said rib being closed atthe contracted end of said body and opening outwardly at the oppositeend of the rib, and

means whereby the open ends of said channels may be closed when thefinger piece is mounted on said rib.

17. The combination with a slide member for fastener stringers, theslide member having co'ntracted and flared end portions, of a lock pawlslidably supported on said member and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto into position within and between the contracted endportion of the slide member and adjacent interlocked fastener stringersto retain the slide member in fixed position on said stringers.

, 18. The combination with a slide member for fastener-stringers, saidmember having contracted and flared end portions, of a lock pawlslidable longitudinally of said member, said pawl moving by gravity intoengagement with said fastener stringers adjacent the contracted end ofsaid member and means whereby in the separation of the fastenerstringers said slide member will move longitudinally of the fastenerstringers and pawl into wedging engagement with said pawl to lock saidslide member on said fastener stringers and prevent further separationof the stringers.

l9. Ina slide member of the class described, a finger piece part foractuating said slide member comprising a sheet of metal, one end ofwhich is provided with means for attaching the same to said slidemember, and a wedge member oifset from and extending in parallelrelation to one side face of said part adjacent said end and adapted tocooperate with the slide member, said wedge member having a pronged endextending away from one face thereof.

DAVIS MARINSKY.

